- Collection:
- Veterans History Project: Oral History Interviews
- Title:
- Oral history interview of Steven James Martin
- Creator:
- Bruckner, William Joseph, 1944-
Martin, Steven James, 1941-2022 - Publisher:
- Atlanta, Ga. : Kenan Research Center, Atlanta History Center
- Date of Original:
- 2012-04-30
- Subject:
- Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Personal narratives, American
Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Aerial operations, American
Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Medical care
Leukemia, Hairy cell
UH-1 (Helicopter)
Agent Orange
University of Georgia
United States. Reserve Officers Training Corps
United States. Army. Aviation Battalion, 501st
Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association - People:
- Frizzell, Marshall Ray, 1931-1966
Lancaster, Richard P., 1943-1966
Welty, Carroll Leon, 1946-1966
Ann-Margret, 1941- - Location:
- United States, Alabama, Dale County, Fort Rucker, 31.34282, -85.71538
United States, Georgia, Muscogee County, Fort Benning, 32.43487, -84.93382
United States, Georgia, Stephens County, Toccoa, 34.57732, -83.33239
United States, Texas, Palo Pinto County, Fort Wolters
Vietnam, Biên Hòa, 10.9569454, 106.8536492
Vietnam, Tây Ninh, 11.404629, 106.0033909 - Medium:
- oral histories (literary works)
- Type:
- Moving Image
- Format:
- video/mp4
- Description:
- In this interview, Steve Martin recalls his service as an Army helicopter pilot during the Vietnam War. He describes his father's early life, including time his father spent as a bus driver for soldiers from the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment (portrayed in the 2001 HBO miniseries "Band of Brothers") in Toccoa, Georgia, during the unit's training there. He attended ROTC at the University of Georgia; went through basic training at Fort Benning; and then attended flight school, acquiring his commercial pilot's license and instruments ratings at the same time. He describes many incidents during his first few months in Vietnam, including his first encounter with the Viet Cong (a thirteen year-old boy); his first experience being shot at (by a Vietnamese woman); and volunteering to teach English to Vietnamese civilians, of whom he thought very highly. He recalls seeing the extensive use of Agent Orange and describes the experimental treatments he endured for the leukemia he developed as a result of his exposure to the defoliant. He describes in great detail the events of 20 February 1966 when the helicopter he was co-piloting collided with another helicopter during a troop extraction. The collision killed the pilot, the vehicle's crew chief, and another soldier, and seriously injured Martin. He recalls the field hospital physician, Captain James Marvel, whose actions saved Martin's badly mangled leg and left hand. He remembers meeting entertainer Ann-Margret while in hospital in Vietnam. He describes helping other badly wounded soldiers use entertainment facilities near Walter Reed Army Medical Center while he was recovering there and recalls meeting and marrying his wife, Judy, a nurse at Walter Reed. He recalls meeting Captain Marvel again thirty years after the war and meeting with Ann-Margret again long after the war because she remembered her interaction with him in Vietnam. He describes his involvement in the founding of the Atlanta Vietnam Veterans Business Association and reflects on his military service.
"Camp Alpha"; "Rattlers"; Company A, 501st Aviation Battalion; Griffith, Tom; aircraft commander; Ballard, Perry, M.D.; Marvel, James, Captain; field hospital; MASH (Television show); pedicled abdominal flaps; Grizzard, Simons, and Martin (law firm); "Firebirds"; Wembley, Kirk; Keener, Mary Lou
Steve Martin was a United States Army helicopter pilot during the Vietnam War. - Metadata URL:
- http://album.atlantahistorycenter.com/cdm/ref/collection/VHPohr/id/851
- Additional Rights Information:
- This material is protected by copyright law. (Title 17, U.S. Code) Permission for use must be cleared through the Kenan Research Center at the Atlanta History Center. Licensing agreement may be required.
- Extent:
- 1:11:51
- Original Collection:
- Veterans History Project oral history recordings
Veterans History Project collection, MSS 1010, Kenan Research Center, Atlanta History Center - Holding Institution:
- Atlanta History Center
- Rights:
-
